As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Trea Turner showed off every bit of his speed in Philadelphia's extra inning win over the Braves. With his two steals to go with his pair of doubles, Turner has his second season with 30+ steals and 30+ doubles, something only Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu have done multiple times in a Phillies uniform since the turn of the century. Turner's start to the season was rough to say the least, but over the last 115 games, the only shortstop as valuable as Turner has been Bobby Witt. Just in August, Turner is hitting .339 with a .529 SLG. His quality presence at the top of this Phillies lineup combined with their middle of the lineup pop makes the Phillies a World Series favorite.
Who saw this coming? Jackson started the 2022 season in Double-A with the Angels. It took until this season for Jackson to see a promotion to Triple-A, and he took advantage of that opportunity within the Orioles' system. Jackson tore through Triple-A, hitting .377 across 171 plate appearances, and he turned that into a promotion to Baltimore, an opportunity he's taken and run with. Jackson went 2-for-5 in a blowout win over the Giants, with a home run and a double. Jackson is in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak and is slashing .330/.352/.477 with five doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Despite a down season for the Orioles, Jackson is providing a glimmer of positivity as the season winds down.
Let's hear it for 19 straight appearances without an earned run! I talked about Uribe last week on the Daily Sheet, and he continues his dominant ways, locking down the 9th inning to secure a win over the Blue Jays. Uribe struck out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to start the inning, and following a Bo Bichette single, Uribe induced a game ending double play ball off the bat of Alejandro Kirk, securing Milwaukee's MLB leading 85th win. Uribe is running a 46% whiff rate on his slider in the second half, a top 15 mark in all of baseball in that span.
Manzardo's hot second half rolls on as his 2-run home run off Logan Gilbert in the 6th proved to be a deciding blow in Cleveland's 4-3 win over the Mariners. Manzardo had sustained struggles earlier in the season, but he's responded with a strong second half, proving to be one of just two above average hitters for the Guardians in that span. Since the break, Manzardo has finally been getting everyday reps both at 1B and DH and is slashing .277/.366/.518 with 8 home runs. Manzardo has improved his hard hit rate from 41% in the first half to 48.1%, and his barrel rate is up from 11.9% to 14.3%.
The Atlanta Braves entered Saturday night top five in runs scored since the All-Star Break, so naturally they ran into the buzzsaw of Cristopher Sanchez, and watched their surging bats halted in their tracks. Sanchez generated 20 whiffs against the Braves, 12 of which were registered by the changeup (48% whiff%), and of the 18 balls put in play against Sanchez, 14 of them were groundballs. Sanchez has gone at least six innings in 15 of his last 16 starts, allowing more than two runs just three times in that span.
It was a full night for one of the best offensive players in the game. Juan Soto homered twice, walked twice, and stole two bases, and even though it all came in an eventual Mets loss, Soto is continuing to prove he's among the game's elite, raising his team high wRC+ to 152 as he paces towards his fifth 5+ fWAR season. With his pair of home runs, Soto raised his season total to 35, and his two stolen bases give him 25. In doing that, Soto became just the third Met ever to tally 35+ home runs and 25+ steals, joining Howard Johnson (x3) and Darryl Strawberry (x2).
After a couple rough outings that followed his near no-hit bid in Queens, Gavin Williams got back to his winning ways, fanning eight Mariners en route to a series win over one of the AL's best teams as the Guardians cling onto the slimmest of Wild Card hopes. Williams' velocity was a tick down, and he all but abandoned his newly found cutter, but the fastball was dominant, generating 10 whiffs with the heater, and 16 overall, good for a 30% whiff rate. Walks have plagued Williams all season despite showing ace-caliber stuff, but he surrendered just one free pass to one of baseball's best teams at generating walks. Since the All-Star Break, Williams has posted a 2.33 ERA with a 26% strikeout rate and 8.6% walk rate.
Cam Schlittler has injected new life into a Yankees rotation desperate for some help going into the final two months of the season. Tallying his third straight outing with at least 6 innings pitched and 8 strikeouts, Schlittler has capped off a terrific month of August with another dominant performance in New York's extra inning victory over the White Sox. Schlittler allowed just four balls in play over 92 mph, going to his bread and butter fastball with half of his offerings, generating a 31% whiff rate with his heater. Schlittler's August will end with a 1.60 ERA for the month, totaling 39 strikeouts in 33.2 innings of work across six starts. He has been as dominant as any pitcher in baseball, playing catalyst for a Yankees team that's now won seven in a row.
Ramon Laureano has been on fire since coming over to San Diego at the trade deadline. Mashing another home run in the Padres' drubbing of the Twins, Laureano hit his seventh home run in August, pushing his slash line up to .307/.358/.594 as a Padre. Among primary left fielders, only Jurickson Profar has more home runs in August than Laureano. Prior to acquiring Laureano, Padres left fielders had amassed just -0.3 fWAR to go with a 79 wRC+. In just one month, Laureano completely shifted the landscape of what had been the weakest area on San Diego's roster.
The Padres' no. 9 hitter powered his way to his second career multi-home run game. Diaz's first home run was a no-doubter in the top of the fifth that went 407 feet at 107 mph off the bat. This initially tied the game at 1-1, but the Padres would have their way with the Minnesota bullpen, including Diaz's second home run, a wall-scraper that capped off a seven run 7th inning for the Friars. The once upon a time All-Star Game MVP now has three home runs over his last three games played.
You know that meme of Squidward looking out the window at SpongeBob and Patrick running around having fun outside? That's Brandon Sproat watching Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong having success with the Mets. Sproat's turn has to be coming, even if it's just in a bullpen role. With the New York rolling with a 6-man rotation, there's just not room for a starter. Still, Sproat is doing his best to show the team that he has nothing left to prove in Triple-A and he deserves that chance at the next level.
Are we doing this again? Things have never materialized for Forrest Whitley, who at one point was a top pitching prospect in the game. His nasty stuff is still there and he now finds himself resurrecting the hype with the Rays organization. With Durham he's thrown 45.1 innings with a 2.38 ERA and 53 strikeouts with 15 walks. It's less than shocking that the Rays would be the team to figure something out with him, but maybe they have. So, I guess we are doing this again because Whitley's stuff is so good he if he can figure it out there is still good baseball ahead for the 27-year-old.
The rehab trail has started for Ryan Weathers, who is expected to make only 2 of them before rejoining the Marlins. This was the first. He reached 60 pitches and will likely get to a sustainable pitch count in his next outing. It's been a rough year for Weathers who has only been able to make 5 starts in the majors this year due to injuries. He was a big breakout candidate entering the year. Health has been a big concern for him during this season.
Throughout his MiLB career Yohandy Morales has done nothing but hit. Triple-A has proven a struggle for him thus far, particularly with his 6 percent jump in strikeout rate. That has him hanging out around the 30 percent mark. This homer brings him to 11 at the level and 15 on the year. That mark of 15 more than doubles his previous career high of 7, so his power his starting to show through more. Morales has been playing a lot of first base this year and, barring a free agent signing, there will be an opening at the big league level when he's ready.
The rehab stint should be coming to a close soon, but there's no guarantee Jac Caglianone returns to the Royals once it is. He's doing everything he can to prove he should return to MLB action. This was a 451-foot shot, which seems good. There's little doubt Cags can hit in Triple-A considering he's done nothing but that. That has yet to translate against MLB arms through 150 at bats.
This has not been the banner year for Noah Schultz that was expected. In fact, he's taken a step back in many ways. He has been 2 starts since returning from injury sustained in early July. In those starts he's totaled 5 innings with a 3.60 ERA and 5 strikeouts with only 1 walk. The numbers aren't jumping off the page, but it's good to see him having some success. Frankly, heading into the year he looked like one of the best pitching prospects I'd ever gotten to write up and I believe all that is still in there for him. He did grow an inch prior to the year, so maybe he just has to get use to the extra length. Shultz has something there, hopefully he can reclaim the high end stuff he showed in 2024.
The great month of August is continuing for Quinn Mathews. In 6 starts he's rocking a 2.27 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. If the 24-year-old southpaw keeps this up he's only a decade or so away from being old enough for the Cardinals rotation! Through the draft it's clear St. Louis is actually changing how they approach pitchers, so things may be changing soon for them. With how good he's been it would be great to see him debut before the year is over to see how his 27.5 percent strikeout will play, however his 16 percent walk rate is a good reason to hold off.
It's been just 35 games in Triple-A for JJ Wetherholt, but he's been dominating. He's hitting over .300 with 22 extra base hits. Unfortunately for us as baseball fans it would be out of character for the Cardinals to call him up before next season. But at least Jimmy Crooks and Cesar Prieto are up to sit on the bench? Jokes aside, Wetherholt as been killing it and he's going to be really good in St. Louis whenever he does get the chance. Most likely that'll be next year, but September call-ups are another option. We'll have to see what happens.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
